The eighth-ranked Villanova Wildcats visited the Prudential Center Wednesday night, as they squared off with 10-5 Seton Hall. It wasn't the prettiest game for Villanova, but the Wildcats were able to take care of business, beating a weakened Pirates squad 83-67.

Without key players, including second leading scorer Fuquan Edwin and top rebounder Eugene Teague, the Pirates were at a disadvantage from the start. Seton Hall would knock down a three to start the game up 3-0, but that would be the Pirates' only lead, as Villanova was in control throughout. The Wildcats would respond to Seton Hall's opening basket with a 14-3 run to head into the first TV timeout leading 14-6, and they would never look back. After shooting 48.3 percent from the field in the first half, including making 7 of 13 shots from beyond the arc, the Wildcats went to the locker room up 38-32. Villanova was led in the first half by Ryan Arcidiacono, who scored 12 points, including making three shots from beyond the arc. Darrun Hilliard had 11 first half points, and would not slow down in the second half. Midway through the second act the Wildcats began to distance themselves from the Pirates, taking a 59-47 lead into a Seton Hall timeout. Villanova would continue to pad its lead, finishing the game up by 16, as they won 83-67. Hilliard finished with 19 points for the Wildcats, who shot 52 percent in the game. JayVaughn Pinkston would have a big game as well, scoring 17 points, giving the junior forward more than 1,000 points for his career. Brian Oliver led a short staffed Pirates squad in the loss, scoring 20 points, while Sterling Gibbs and Patrik Auda each added 13. With the win, the Wildcats improved to 14-1 overall and 3-0 in the Big East. Villanova will next visit Madison Square Garden on Saturday, as they face the St. John's Red Storm. By: Kyle BabcockFollow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat